Placemat and coaster set

ABSTRACT

A placemat ( 1 ) and a coaster ( 2 ) are provided as a set, each having a similar decorative effect ( 4 ), for example a graphic design, and the placemat being made in pieces as a jigsaw puzzle ( 7 ). The coaster illustrates the decorative effect to be achieved on the placemat when the pieces are assembled. There may be the same or different decorative effects on opposite surfaces of the placemat and coaster. A package ( 8 ) made of plastics material folded into a box form accommodates the separated pieces ( 19 ) of the placemat ( 1 ) and is formed with a location ( 15 ) at which the coaster ( 2 ) is held so that it can be seen from the outside of the package.

[0001] The present invention relates to a placemat and coaster set.

[0002] Placemats and coasters are intended for use in protecting surfaces on which food and drink containers are to be placed. They are made in various forms and various materials. Commonly they are given an attractive appearance by the addition of a picture, photograph or other decorative effect on their upper, front, surfaces, Placemats and coasters are usually provided in sets of matching designs.

[0003] The present invention is aimed at providing a placemat and coaster set of added appeal, particularly, though not only, for children.

[0004] According to the present invention there is provided, as a set, a placemat and coaster which have a similar decorative effect and in which the placemat is made in pieces as a jigsaw puzzle, the coaster illustrating the decorative effect to be achieved on the placemat when its pieces are assembled together.

[0005] The decorative effect in the placemat and coaster may take various forms, usually two dimensional but even a three dimensional effect may be possible. A graphic design may be printed on the placemat and coaster.

[0006] Preferably the placemat and coaster are made from a material which is readily wiped clean or washed. In a preferred embodiment a durable, resilient plastics material, for example polypropylene is used which enables the placemat and coaster to be washed in a dishwasher if desired.

[0007] The placemat may be cut to form the pieces of the jigsaw puzzle by any suitable means. Die-cutting is convenient, for example, in the case of the preferred plastics material.

[0008] The placemat and coaster set may be contained in a package. The set may be sold in the package and the package may be used to store the set when not being used. The package may, for example, be made of a plastics sheet material folded into a box form. The material of the package may be clear or opaque, coloured or colourless. The package may provide a location at which the coaster is held and can be seen from outside the package. Thus the coaster is displayed at the package and can provide a decorative feature of the package.

[0009] An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0010]FIGS. 1a-b shows schematically a placement and coaster set in accordance with the invention.

[0011]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a package for the set, and

[0012]FIG. 3 is a side view of the package.

[0013] Referring to the drawings, FIGS. 1a and 1 b respectfully show a placemat 1 and a coaster 2 of the placemat and coaster set. The placemat 1 has a front surface 3 to which a graphics image 4 is applied. The coaster also has a front surface 5 to which a graphics image 6, similar to that of the placemat is applied. The graphics images 4,6 are printed onto the front surfaces of the placemat and coaster, the inks and dyes used being of a non-toxic formulation. Various graphics images can be used.

[0014] The placemat and coaster are both made of polypropylene sheet material. They may be of various sizes and shapes. They are essentially stiff though with some resilience, and strong and durable and are able to be washed in a dishwasher.

[0015] The placemat is die-cut into a number of pieces to form a jigsaw puzzle 7. In this embodiment the placemat and coaster have graphics images only on their front surfaces. Their underside is plain. Graphics images may be provided on underside surfaces as well and the images on the two surfaces may be similar or different.

[0016]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a package 8, for the placemat and coaster set. The package 8 is of a box form comprising a front wall 9, a rear wall 10 two side walls 11, 12 a base wall 13 and a close flap 14. A location 15 is formed at the front wall 9 to receive the coaster as shown in FIG. 3, so that the coaster is displayed at the front of the package. For the purposes of displaying the package set for sale holes 16 are formed in the rear wall, front wall and lid 15 of the package that when aligned provide an engagement by a hook on a display wall. The package is made from a stiff plastics sheet material which is cut and folded to the box shape. In this embodiment the plastics sheet material of the package is clear and as shown in FIG. 3, front and rear insert cards 17,18 are included inside the package. The separated jigsaw pieces 19 which make up the placemat are situated between the front and rear insert cards 17, 18. 

1. A set comprising a placemat and a coaster which have a similar decorative effect and in which the placemat is made in pieces as a jigsaw puzzle, the coaster illustrating the decorative effect to be achieved on the placemat when its pieces are assembled together.
 2. A set according to claim 1 wherein the decorative effect is two dimensional.
 3. A set according to claim 2 wherein the decorative effect is a graphic design printed on the placemat and coaster.
 4. A set according to claim 1 wherein the decorative effect is three dimensional.
 5. A set according to claim 1 wherein the decorative effect is provided on opposite surfaces of the placemat and coaster.
 6. A set according to claim 5 wherein different decorative effects are provided on the opposite surfaces.
 7. A set according to claim 1 wherein the placemat and coaster are made of a durable, resilient plastics material suitable to be washed in a dishwasher.
 8. A set according to claim 7 wherein the plastics material is polypropylene.
 9. A set according to claim 1 contained in a package.
 10. A set according to claim 9 wherein the package is made of a plastics sheet material folded into a box form.
 11. A set according to claim 9 wherein the package provides a location at which the coaster is held and can be seen from outside the package.
 12. A set according to claim 9 wherein front and rear insert cards are included inside the package and the pieces of the placemat are received separated in the package between the front and rear insert cards. 